Great Plains SPCAhttp://www.greatplainsspca.org
Heroes for pets. Partners for life.Thu, 08 Dec 2016 21:49:16 +0000en-UShourly1Molly Suehttp://www.greatplainsspca.org/molly-sue/
http://www.greatplainsspca.org/molly-sue/#respondWed, 07 Dec 2016 22:54:00 +0000http://www.greatplainsspca.org/?p=43413Hello everybody! I’m Molly and I’m a fantastic gal looking for love and a new forever home! I had a wonderful home but sadly my owner had to go into assisted living and there was no place for me there.... Read more »

I’m Molly and I’m a fantastic gal looking for love and a new forever home! I had a wonderful home but sadly my owner had to go into assisted living and there was no place for me there. So now I’m looking to start the next chapter in my life and I’m wondering, could it be with you? Paws crossed!

Let me tell you, I’m one fantastic girl.I love to run and play and give lots of kisses. I really love getting attention too! Let’s snuggle because I love it! Of course I’m a little shy with all the changes I’ve experienced of late, but once I know you we’ll become fast friends and best buddies.

I’m friendly, love to run in the back yard and play with toys, have been known to be okay with other dogs but have never been around cats (so we can talk about that if your home has a kitty!). I’m housetrained, do great on a leash and am a big fan of routine. I’m really not into having a bunch of changes in my life, so you can imagine that I’m wanting to find my new family really soon. Since I just LOVE being around people and interacting with them, I would love a home where there are people around a lot so I don’t have to be alone! Hey, I just want to be your shadow!

Please come to Great Plains SPCA and let me complete your family circle!

]]>http://www.greatplainsspca.org/molly-sue/feed/0Keeping your pets safe during the holidayshttp://www.greatplainsspca.org/holidays-with-pets/
http://www.greatplainsspca.org/holidays-with-pets/#respondWed, 07 Dec 2016 22:28:48 +0000http://www.greatplainsspca.org/?p=43409Chase is Great Plains SPCA’s 2016 Furry Face! Throughout the year you will see Chase pop up on the blog to share important information from our staff about things that are most important to cats like him. By: Dr. Jennifer Ramsey,... Read more »

Chase is Great Plains SPCA’s 2016 Furry Face! Throughout the year you will see Chase pop up on the blog to share important information from our staff about things that are most important to cats like him.

By: Dr. Jennifer Ramsey, DVM

The holidays are times of joy and celebration for everyone. Make sure the holidays are safe for your pets (and avoid an emergency veterinary visit) by avoiding common toxins and hazards.

Chocolate: While people find chocolate to be a sweet treat, it can actually be toxic to our pets. The darker the chocolate, the less the pet needs to ingest before symptoms of toxicity appear. Depending on the type of chocolate and how much was ingested symptoms can range from simple vomiting and/or diarrhea all the way to seizures and death.

Low temperatures: Just because our pets have a built in fur coat, it doesn’t mean that they are unaffected by cold weather. Exposure to cold temperatures can cause hypothermia, frost bite, and even death. Moisture such as snow or sleet can make the weather even harsher for our pets. If at all possible, bring animals inside the house to help protect them from the cold. If you cannot bring your pets inside, make sure they have sufficient, dry, warm shelter available to them at all times. Raise dog houses off the ground and consider straw bedding to help keep dogs warm. Insulated cat boxes can be made out of plastic bins or cardboard boxes.

Poinsettias: while poinsettias have a bad reputations, in truth they are not as toxic as most people think. They are irritating when ingested causing vomiting and diarrhea, so it is best to keep pets from munching on them. Other common plants of the season, such as holly and lilies, can be quite toxic. It is best to keep pets away from holiday foliage.

Decorations: Many pets are enamored by the multitude of shiny, sparkling, blinking, and colorful decorations that invade their home at the holidays. Unfortunately, not all pets have the best judgement about what is edible and what is not. Decorations such as tinsel, Christmas lights, candles, ornaments, etc. can pose a hazard to our pets if they are ingested or chewed. To prevent injuries such as foreign bodies, electrocution, and burns, it is best to restrict your pet’s access to festive decorations.

Bread dough: There’s nothing more comforting that the smell of baking bread. However, yeast dough can be dangerous if ingested raw or before it is fully baked. The yeast cause the dough to continue to expand in the stomach and produce toxic byproducts.

Alcohol: Our pets’ tolerance of alcohol is much less than that of a human. Even a small amount of alcohol can cause poisoning in animals. Make sure all alcoholic products are kept out of reach of pets.

Macadamia nuts: Many baked goods and party mixes contain macadamia nuts. Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs and cause vomiting, weakness, and fever.

Table scraps: Some animals are particularly sensitive to changes in diet. Table scraps, especially fatty ones such as turkey skin, can cause a condition called pancreatitis. Symptoms of pancreatitis include vomiting, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite. Many animals need to be hospitalized to treat this condition. It is best to be safe and keep all table scraps away from your pets. Be sure you tell your guests that feeding table scraps is not allowed.

Bones: What dog hasn’t looked longingly at a left over ham bone? However, bones pose a great risk to animals and should be avoided at all cost. Both raw and cooked bones are dangerous as they can splinter and puncture the stomach or intestines. Make sure all bones are disposed of safely far from your pet’s reach.

Onions and garlic: Ingesting too much onion or garlic can cause destruction of red blood cells and subsequent anemia. Even a few bites of onion or garlic can be too much in some of the smallest pets.

Grapes and raisins: Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. It is unknown how many grapes or raisins a dog needs to ingest to cause issues, so any ingestion should be considered an issue. Seek veterinary care immediately.

Ice melt and antifreeze: Many ice melts are toxic to pets if ingested. Pets are often exposed by licking their feet after coming inside from a walk. Make sure to wipe off your pet’s feet with a damp cloth after being outside to remove any residual ice melt. You can also purchase pet safe ice melts at most stores. Antifreeze is highly toxic to pets when ingested. Even a small amount can cause seizures and death. Unfortunately, antifreeze is sweet, which encourages animals to ingest it. Keep pets far away from any areas where antifreeze is used or stored.

Xylitol: Xylitol is a sweetener used in many sugar free foods (gum, candy, etc.). Unfortunately, it is highly toxic to dogs and even a small amount can cause a life threatening low blood sugar. Keep all ‘sugar free’ products far out of your pet’s reach.

With some care and vigilance, the holidays can be an enjoyable and safe time for all members of the family. Happy holidays!

]]>http://www.greatplainsspca.org/holidays-with-pets/feed/0A Note from Our Top Dog: Saying Goodbyehttp://www.greatplainsspca.org/saying-goodbye-december/
http://www.greatplainsspca.org/saying-goodbye-december/#commentsWed, 07 Dec 2016 01:30:12 +0000http://www.greatplainsspca.org/?p=43400Over the last six years, I’ve had the privilege to work alongside some of the most dedicated and compassionate people I’ve ever known and lead an innovative organization centered around saving lives and making our community a better place. Together,... Read more »

]]>Over the last six years, I’ve had the privilege to work alongside some of the most dedicated and compassionate people I’ve ever known and lead an innovative organization centered around saving lives and making our community a better place. Together, we have accomplished so many wonderful things for pets and people! Many of the proudest and most grateful moments of my life tie back to the work and achievements at Great Plains SPCA, and I thank you for being a part of it.

As a dear friend and supporter of our work, I write to share with you today that I have resigned my position as President & CEO to spend more time with my young family and to engage in other important causes that fuel my passion. I will be working through the end of the year and I will always hold Great Plains SPCA’s staff, volunteers and supporters very near to my heart.

Without you, Great Plains SPCA would not be the organization it is today. I extend my deepest and most sincere gratitude to you for believing in me, believing in Great Plains SPCA and being committed to bringing our vision to life. Although my focus is broadening, I will always have the best interest of pets at heart, and I will continue to devote my skills and talents to advance the mission work of animal welfare.

It has been such an honor to serve as the leader of this incredible organization and I look forward to cheering on the continued success of Great Plains SPCA as it drives change in our community through innovative programs that promote adoption, outreach, veterinary care and a better life for pets and the people who love them.

All my best,

Courtney Thomas
Great Plains SPCA, President & CEO

– A Note From Our Board Chairman –

Please join me, the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers in thanking Courtney Thomas for her leadership and dedication to the Great Plains SPCA mission over the last six years. Courtney has played a critical role in advancing our mission and community footprint and she will be missed by all of us. During her tenure, Courtney has led many initiatives to grow our organization and its lifesaving impact in the community. We want to thank her for her six years of service and contributions.

The Board is conducting a search to find the best successor as President & CEO. In the meantime, Board Member Jami Waggoner will be serving as Interim CEO. Courtney and Jami will work side-by-side to ensure a smooth transition. Jami has served on the boards of animal welfare agencies for many years.

During this transition, our top priority is to find the best individual to lead Great Plains SPCA forward, while continuing our mission. Again, we are grateful for all of the positive contributions Courtney has made to our organization and to our community. We are confident great things are ahead for Courtney in her new endeavors and for Great Plains SPCA.

]]>http://www.greatplainsspca.org/saying-goodbye-december/feed/1Home for the Pawlidayz Adoption Specialhttp://www.greatplainsspca.org/home-pawlidayz-adoption-special/
http://www.greatplainsspca.org/home-pawlidayz-adoption-special/#respondFri, 25 Nov 2016 17:27:28 +0000http://www.greatplainsspca.org/?p=43365This may be our biggest adoption event ever because we’ve never had ALL pets fee-waived… Come be a part of the action and adopt your new best friend this week! Zappos and Best Friends Animal Society are teaming up with Great... Read more »

This may be our biggest adoption event ever because we’ve never had ALL pets fee-waived… Come be a part of the action and adopt your new best friend this week!

Zappos and Best Friends Animal Society are teaming up with Great Plains SPCA and other shelters nationally to help 9,000 pets find forever homes this holiday season – a goal which represents the number of dogs and cats killed in America’s shelters every day simply because they don’t have a safe place to call home.

Beginning on Black Friday (November 25th) and continuing through Cyber Monday (November 28th), Zappos will be covering adoption fees at all of Best Friends’ participating network and coalition partners across the country (which includes Great Plains SPCA). This means you can visit our Merriam, KS or Independence, MO Campuses these days and adopt your new cat, puppy, dog or kitten for FREE! We are open:

Please note that we will be closed to the public Wednesday the 23rd to prepare for this exciting event and Thursday the 24th for Thanksgiving. Don’t worry though! Our pets will still be receiving top-notch care!

Can’t adopt but want to help? Make a gift to honor a special pet in your life by clicking here.

]]>http://www.greatplainsspca.org/home-pawlidayz-adoption-special/feed/0Giving Tuesdayhttp://www.greatplainsspca.org/giving-tuesday/
http://www.greatplainsspca.org/giving-tuesday/#respondTue, 22 Nov 2016 19:39:45 +0000http://www.greatplainsspca.org/?p=43358This is the fifth year of Giving Tuesday, a day of global giving created as a kickoff to the “season of giving” that occurs after Thanksgiving and through the holiday season. Great Plains SPCA has participated in Giving Tuesday for the... Read more »

– Our HERO Team is able to provide food, dog houses, toys, and medical care to low-income clients whose pets are often neglected when they have to decide between feeding themselves or their pets.

– So much more…

We are so grateful to have your support! To be honest, we could not provide our extensive services to the community without YOU. Will you make a small tax-deductible contribution to show your commitment to the future of Kansas City Metro pets on #GivingTuesdayKC?

]]>http://www.greatplainsspca.org/giving-tuesday/feed/0Thanksgiving Treat Recipeshttp://www.greatplainsspca.org/thanksgiving-treat-recipes/
http://www.greatplainsspca.org/thanksgiving-treat-recipes/#respondThu, 17 Nov 2016 18:04:16 +0000http://www.greatplainsspca.org/?p=43339Paula Deen and Martha Stewart are a bonded pair of Lab Mixes that have been calling our Independence Campus home since September. Having lived their entire lives together, these sisters can’t imagine spending Thanksgiving (or any other holiday for that matter)... Read more »

]]>Paula Deen and Martha Stewart are a bonded pair of Lab Mixes that have been calling our Independence Campus home since September. Having lived their entire lives together, these sisters can’t imagine spending Thanksgiving (or any other holiday for that matter) apart.

Like their namesakes, Paula and Martha love food, and while they can’t cook themselves, they are happy to share some delicious, healthy dog treat recipes with you to make for your pets on Thanksgiving!

Paula and Martha want to remind you that while your pet might SEEM like they want table scraps, many traditional holiday foods are not healthy (and sometimes can even be toxic) for them. Stick to the pet-safe treat recipes to ensure that you and your pets have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving! Looking for more great treat ideas? Check out Great Plains SPCA’s Pinterest page for healthy recipes for dogs and cats!

We’d love to see Paula and Martha find a loving furever home together just in time for the holidays. They are both around Six years old, have great leash manners, love people, and generally are all-around great dogs! Give us a call at our Independence Campus at (913) 808-3370 to learn more about them or stop by to meet them during our regular business hours!

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE

There’s a $30 snuggle fee. In turn, Uber will help support Great Plains SPCA. Found kitten love? All kittens are eligible for adoption – just ask the Great Plains SPCA rep assisting with your kitten delivery for all the details. These cute little creatures will be in very high demand and availability will be limited.

PURINA MAKES IT PURR-FECT

Purina is guided by the belief that pets and people arebetter togetherand has been committed to building and enhancing the relationship between pets and people. We believe in high-quality, advanced nutrition and are dedicated to providing pets and their owners with expert advice so we can all live bigger, healthier and happier lives together. In that spirit, they will be providing welcome kits for anyone who adopts one of the available kittens! New pet parents will receive baskets with all the essentials, from bowls, collars, and carriers to laser pointers and blankets.

]]>http://www.greatplainsspca.org/uberkittens/feed/0November Volunteer Spotlighthttp://www.greatplainsspca.org/november-volunteer-spotlight/
http://www.greatplainsspca.org/november-volunteer-spotlight/#respondWed, 16 Nov 2016 21:19:03 +0000http://www.greatplainsspca.org/?p=43334Merriam Campus Volunteer Spotlight Please help in recognizing Caryle Parks as our November Volunteer of the Month! Caryle has been an extremely dedicated volunteer and has been volunteering since January 2006 at the old Animal Haven location. Since the beginning of... Read more »

Please help in recognizing Caryle Parks as our November Volunteer of the Month! Caryle has been an extremely dedicated volunteer and has been volunteering since January 2006 at the old Animal Haven location. Since the beginning of her volunteer journey, Caryle has logged 5,741 hours of service, visiting the shelter nearly every day when she can.

Caryle was inspired to start volunteering with dogs after seeing how pets were struggling after Hurricane Katrina. She really wanted to start helping shelter animals in the community by getting them out on walks and giving them all the attention they deserved. Caryle loves the feeling she gets from helping the dogs in the shelter, “It is rewarding to work with the dogs and see them change and learning new commands while working with them,” said Caryle. Her goal each day is to get as many dogs out as she can by collaborating with other volunteers to make sure all the shelter pets are getting attention! Our new volunteers are welcomed by Caryle as she is always willing to help anyone with questions.

Caryle has two dogs at home she adopted from Great Plains SPCA! She adopted her first one just a few months after volunteering! Her two dogs at home have been welcoming to the Great Plains SPCA foster dogs Caryle has brought home throughout the years! Since she has had so many dogs she has loved working with, Caryle couldn’t pick just one that has been her favorite!

Being an every day advocate for our shelter pets, Caryle has made a huge difference in the lives of so many shelter dogs! Caryle’s countless volunteer hours are proof that she is dedicated in doing whatever she can to make the lives of shelter pets a little brighter! Thank you, Caryle!

Independence Campus Volunteer Spotlight

Please help in recognizing Shelby Abts as our November Independence Volunteer of the Month!

Shelby began volunteering at Great Plains SPCA in June of 2015. She impatiently counted through the birthdays until she was old enough to volunteer at her local animal shelter. After a visit to the Independence Campus during her sophomore year of high school, following an AP exam, she enthusiastically made the decision to sign on as an official volunteer.

When Shelby saw an advertisement in the Volunteer Newsletter for a Foster Program Assistant she quickly jumped at the opportunity and Shelby showed up ready to work!

Because of her desire to become a Veterinarian, Shelby began focusing more towards the medical aspects of the Foster program. This included scheduling foster animals for routine vaccine appointments and check-ups, as well as assisting the shelter Veterinarians with the appointments. She has even observed surgical procedures in the Veterinary Care Clinic. Despite her full-time schedule as a High School student, she now consistently dedicates every free minute to the Foster Program.

Shelby says of her time at Great Plains SPCA, “I think the experience and opportunities I’ve been given through our organization are priceless (in more ways than one) and makes me feel like I’ve been able to make a difference in countless lives. The people I’ve met is also a favorite thing (about volunteering here)! I can confidently say that many of my volunteer hours have been spent laughing with staff members. The past 2 years have been life changing for me at Great Plains SPCA. Dr. Taylor and Dr. Kelly showed me a college that I fell in love with, and that I am excited to attend next fall. They both have inspired and motivated my future goals of becoming a Veterinarian myself, and I can’t thank them enough for that.”

To date, Shelby has achieved over 500 volunteer service hours; the majority during her time as the Foster Program Assistant. We are confident that Shelby will one day make a wonderful Veterinarian following graduation from the Veterinary Program at K-State; where she anticipates attending college!

]]>http://www.greatplainsspca.org/november-volunteer-spotlight/feed/012 Bars of Charity Pub Crawlhttp://www.greatplainsspca.org/12-bars-charity-pub-crawl/
http://www.greatplainsspca.org/12-bars-charity-pub-crawl/#respondThu, 10 Nov 2016 19:23:14 +0000http://www.greatplainsspca.org/?p=43325We have been chosen as one of seven charities for the first ever 12 Bars of Charity in Kansas City on Friday, December 16th! Join the “Navy Team” to have your donation go to Great Plains SPCA Your $30 (plus tax/fees)... Read more »

Your $30 (plus tax/fees) entry fee gets you:
– $10 Donation to the “Charity Team” you sign up under (Choose “Navy Team” to benefit Great Plains SPCA)
– Official 12 Bars of Charity Team Sweatshirt
– Bar-specific drink specials at all participating bars (8 PM – Midnight)
– Shuttle Pass to take you to all the bars

]]>http://www.greatplainsspca.org/12-bars-charity-pub-crawl/feed/0Arthritis Management in Petshttp://www.greatplainsspca.org/arthritis-management-pets/
http://www.greatplainsspca.org/arthritis-management-pets/#commentsWed, 02 Nov 2016 18:26:00 +0000http://www.greatplainsspca.org/?p=43315Hannah is Great Plains SPCA’s 2016 Furry Face! Throughout the year you will see Hannah pop up on the blog to share important information from our staff about things that are most important to dogs like her. By: Dr. Madeleine Little, DVM... Read more »

Hannah is Great Plains SPCA’s 2016 Furry Face! Throughout the year you will see Hannah pop up on the blog to share important information from our staff about things that are most important to dogs like her.

By: Dr. Madeleine Little, DVM

Ahh, the wonderful season of fall. The crisp cool air and crunchy leaves just beg for you to take your fluffy friend out on a long walk. Maybe even a jog for those ambitious health nuts among us. But what happens when you notice your companion taking longer than usual to greet you at the front door when you grab their leash? How do you cope and assist your pet when they are no longer as active as they once were in their younger years?

Most of us have experienced the sinking feeling of realizing our once active and rambunctious companion has slowed down bit by bit, seems less eager to jump in and out of the car, hesitant to come follow us upstairs for bedtime and unable to climb into our bed.

With an increasing life span thanks to medical advances, combined with an obesity epidemic, a significant number of dogs and cats develop some degree of osteoarthritis (OA) in their lifetime. It is estimated that at least 20% of the canine population is suffering from osteoarthritis. And this is not just a dog-specific disease. Despite their reputation for having a perfectly designed, highly flexible skeletal system, cats are also commonly afflicted by this degenerative process. A 2011 study using X-rays found that 61 percent of cats over the age of 6 had OA in at least one joint, while 48 percent had two or more affected joints. Cats older than 14 had an 82 percent chance of having arthritis. Because of the diverse range of presenting signs, OA is likely one of the most under diagnosed conditions in dogs and especially in cats.

What is Osteoarthritis (OA)?

There are multiple contributing factors to OA including genetics, age, body weight, obesity, gender, exercise and diet. OA is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by loss of articular cartilage that is covering and protecting the ends of bones where they meet each other to form a joint. In its healthy state the cartilage acts as a cushion between two bones. Without that cushion of cartilage for protection, the bone is essentially rubbing up against other bone in the joint space. When there is bone on bone, an abnormal process of new bone formation occurs around the joint (osteophytosis) as a response to increased instability and inflammation in the joint leading to pain. Signs of OA are often times non-specific and reported by owners as subtle changes. You might notice your pet has decreased activity, stiffness, occasional limping, inability to jump, or changes in gait such as “bunny-hopping”. Sometimes owners will report behavioral changes such as aggression or vocalization shown by their pet when asked to rise or move. It is often signs of pain observed by an owner that lead to an appointment at the vet’s office asking for help.

How do you diagnose OA?

Diagnosis of OA is usually made by a combination of physical exam and imaging such as X-rays. Initially I will watch a patient walk up and down the hallway of the clinic and perform a distance exam with a gait analysis that will help narrow down which specific joint(s) may be involved. Then I will palpate the limbs and joints to assess for painful response, thickening of joint capsule, accumulation of joint fluid (effusion) or sometimes osteophytes and muscle atrophy (wasting). Depending on the physical exam findings I will often recommend X-rays as an additional tool to help confirm my exam findings and rule out other causes for pain such as bone cancer or a fracture. On the x-ray I am looking for evidence of bony changes (osteophytosis) and assessing the severity of OA present.

What is the treatment for OA?

Treatment recommendations for OA are multimodal which means they include different approaches and can be either medical or surgical or a combination of both. Every patient is treated based on their unique case and all treatment decisions are made based on individual patients in discussion with the pet parent.

Dr. Little’s approach to treatment:

• Weight control. An overweight pet places additional force on joints causing more pronounced OA changes and can ultimately be more painful with limited mobility. See more information on how to prevent and/or reduce obesity in Dr. Jennifer Ramsey’s blog from October.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are formulated specifically for canine and feline patients. Note: NEVER give over-the-counter NSAIDS as many can cause serious illness to pets. NEVER give any medication without consultation by your veterinarian and understanding of the potential risks

• Adjunctive pain medications are often prescribed if pain control cannot be achieved with NSAID use alone

• Joint supplements such as chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, and omega-3 and 6-fatty-acid supplementation. These come in a variety of formulations such as prescription foods, liquids, chews, and treats.

• Chondroprotective injections (such as Aqequan®)

• Activity modification and physical therapy – I discuss with clients what type of exercise and PT techniques such as underwater treadmill work or laser therapy would benefit their pet. Although we do not have this equipment at our clinic we can refer to pet physical therapists or show you techniques you can practice at home

• Surgery is indicated in some specific cases depending on the cause and degree of OA

What is the prognosis for a pet diagnosed with OA?

Unfortunately OA is a progressive disease that will worsen with time. Despite there being no true “cure” for OA, I find this disease as one of the most rewarding to treat in practice. Often owners report feeling helpless or guilty for their pet’s pain and concerned about their quality of life. But because of the multimodal approach, there are so many tools for pain management and environmental changes that can improve your aging pet’s quality of life and mobility. Having a 14 year old cat and 8 year old large breed dog myself, I have a very big soft spot for the grey faces and geriatric pets I get to help make more comfortable every day at Great Plains SPCA’s Veterinary Care Center. For the month of November, senior pet exams are 50% off on Wednesdays. Call us at (913) 742-7310 to schedule your senior pet today.